The issue is group-think, not conservation. Hi-fi is about the pursuit of acoustic realism. Why add another compromise to the already long list hurdles that engineers have to contend with right now? Want to save the environment? Don't drive your car to the concert hall but listen to a solar powered radio. (A note of caution: even if you walk to the concert hall, be advised that there may be lighting and air-conditioning, two big power wasters.) Unfortunately, to some people, there's a scarcity of more important issues in the world than how much electricity the dedicated hifi enthusiast is consuming in pursuit his hobby. Good grief.

For budget-minded audiophiles, buying an amplifier that draws large amounts of power represents a continuing cost beyond the initial purchase price. As a result, this information would be useful to see in Stereophile.

Need to include "standby," and "some normal listening level." Standby because most audiophiles leave their equipment on all the time. Maximum power really isn't useful, because I don't know anyone that listens to music at maximum volume.

More product information would always provide additional data for Stereophile's readers to use in their personal evaluation of any audio equipment under consideration. I don't believe that the listing of the power-draw requirements of a truly musical audio component, which also pulls copiously from the AC-power outlet, would dissuade any of us from purchasing a given piece of equipment, but the information would allow us to ensure that we've properly prepared our music room for the introduction of the audio component. So I'd vote in favor of JA adding power-draw measurements to equipment reviews.

Submitted by William Gates (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

What's the point? Green is in? Ferrari and Hummer owners only glance at the mpg to keep the tank full. High-current linear amplifiers draw a bunch of power. No mystery there. It may only make sense to measure power consumption if that latest Krell model required me to install a 408V-three-phase dedicated utility transformer at my house to power it up. If I'm ultra concerned with power consumption, I'll just resort to using an iPod with headphones. I keep my gas guzzling to a minimum by driving my gasoline hogs less. The same can be said of electronics, power them down when they aren't being used.

Absolutely not. If you're going to play, you're going to shape the flow of electrons and that is energetic. Let someone else start a magazine about the green potential for listening. Stick to the quality of the experience, please. If the primary concern is power usage then you turn it all off, sell it to somebody else (or destroy it) and take up an acoustic instrument. Hippie drum circles rule, not OK.

I suspect that in 25 years, only the ultra-rich will be able to afford to run most tube gear. I'm especially interested in knowing about the power draw components make when powered off—which is often surprisingly significant.

Submitted by Laura in Spokane (not verified) on November 21, 2010 - 10:16am

How well a piece of equipment reproduces "live" sound is the criterion I look for. Power draw might be a factor only if two pieces of equipment were identical in all other respects in their ability to recreate "live" sound.